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teresa swanstrom anderson

5050 S Chester St
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
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teresa swanstrom anderson

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the beginning of our happily ever after

February 24, 2013 Teresa Swanstrom Anderson
Gendron-Wedding-3-143.jpg

Today is Ben & my seven year anniversary

...with no itch in sight...

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After dropping the kids off at school this morning and beginning my super-long list of to-dos, I wanted to look at wedding photos and reminisce.

Sigh...what an incredible day that was.

Mind if I share some with you?

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Who'd have thought we'd do so much in the next seven years though.

As Ben reminded me this morning:

"In seven years, we have lived in three states, seven houses (built two & remodeled two), had two biological children, adopted two children from Ethiopia...with one more on his way."

Wow. Makes me tired thinking about it.

. . . . . . . .

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The ceremony was at 7 pm so we had all day to get ready. I even worked out that morning and got my ring cleaned.

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The folks at my gym thought I was crazy as I leisurely strolled in.

. . . . . . . .

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Our precious programs. One of my favorite details from our wedding.

More like a book loving those important to us. My labor of love for them.

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Rather than bouquets, my bridesmaids carried candles adorned with feathers, satin ribbon, flowers, and crystal.

Gendron Wedding #4 007

I wanted a winter wedding and Ben proposed October 1st so I chose the latest date possible without Spring yet coming to Seattle...the very end of February.

{and yes, you can plan the wedding of your dreams in 4 months}

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Everything was candle lit. Not great for photography...but amazing for the day of.

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In the middle of the wedding, I burst out laughing as I saw my girls trying so hard not to draw attention to themselves as wax dripped down their hands.

Sorry, ladies. Guess the florist didn't think about that part.

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Daddy walked me down the isle to my friend singing Jewel's version of Ave Maria.

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I so love this photo.

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Ben and I talked through the entire ceremony. Our pastor {and friend} scolded us several times for it.

I always wondered what the bride & groom talked about up there. Now I know.

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After the ceremony, we walked to the Prayer Room and prayed together {and Ben washed my feet}.

. . . . . . . .

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I think I'm the only bride in history that prayed for bad weather for their wedding day. That whole week it was bright and beautiful and even warm. My winter-wonderland wedding was going to look out of place with Spring quickly coming!

Luckily God heard my pleas and though the day was sunny, the evening was frigid.

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Quick touchup before greeting everyone.

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Another of my favorite photos ever {my mom & my dad's mother}.

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My dad's good friend drove us in his car. He even wore a chauffeur's cap. Love that!

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I just love the little details of that day.

I silver leafed that "A" myself. It's now on our bookcase above the tv.

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The cake was ice blue with white & silver detail.

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The rhinestones from my bouquet adorn our Christmas tree every year.

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Upon each table were feather and satin ribbon lined apothecary jars filled with sparkling rock-salt and birch branches with hanging tea lights.

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We had a dessert reception rather than dinner since the wedding was so late. We had anything you could possibly think of. Sundae bar, tons of cookies, petitfours, and more. Wish I had more photos.

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We laughed so much that day!

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Until my baby brother got up for his speech.

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Me. The non-crier. Was a disaster.

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Gendron Wedding #5 003

We danced to the song that was playing when Ben 1st kissed me.

...afterward he apologized for that kiss and said he, "didn't ever see us going anywhere."

I love giving him a hard time for that.

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{Ben's sweet mom}

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Many a night, my mom & girlfriends helped me punch little snowflakes to throw.

Hundreds...and hundreds of them.

{my hands hurt just thinking about it!}

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What an incredible first day of the rest of our lives. I read what a friend wrote on our photos the other day {they're now above our bed}.

DSC00513

It said, "may today be the least happy of the rest of your lives." I love the concept of that. And Benny, you sure have given me happiness. You love me very well.

. . . . . . . .

My sweet love, there's no one on this planet that I'd rather go through this crazy life God has given us.

I love you.

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signature 1

In Family Life Tags Ben, more on family, photos, Teresa, wedding
← our fireplace | part 1 {chevron}preparing our family for a new {adopted} child →
teresa-headshot.jpg

Writer, speaker, and busy mama of six

2 biological & 4 from Ethiopia

I have a fervent eagerness to build a place where we can get filled up, when we feel like all we do is pour out.

I do my best to be real and honest about life, our struggles, and how God stretches me through (so many) mistakes along the way.

May this be a place of nourishment for an everyday, beautiful life.



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Thank you!


Instagram

Have you purchased faux plants that come in a pretty pot? I went through a bunch of mine that just look old and soooo not real (🤷🏼‍♀️😂) and ripped them out so I could keep the fun vessel and toss the fake plant portion.

I’ve loooooved having these flowers in what used to hold faux ferns from @target’s #threshhold collection a few years back. (In case you’re wondering, the stems are pressed into floral foam)

I’m wondering how many more days they can be enjoyed before having to give in and toss ‘em...this part of fresh flowers SO bums me out!

Fresh flowers are the BEST!! But now I’m remembering why faux are my friends, too.
😂
Give me a little 🙋🏼‍♀️ if you have a hard time throwing away your flowers...even WAY after they need to be!
One of these things is not like the other 😂😂
.
Imani won the big prize at school and Elsabet is wondering why hers suddenly looks so small
🤷🏼‍♀️😂😂😂
I’m horrible at creating a Smokey-Eye (you too?!) but tried my hand at it today after @katprostudio and I did a tutorial on it (because Elsabet told me I needed to “dress fancy” today for her Valentines Party 🥰😉).
💕
Head to my IGTV station to watch it and to my Stories if you’d like to Swipe Up and get the gorgeous @beautycounter palette we used!!)
💕
Happy Valentines Day, friends!
🌸❤️💕🎈
.
TIPS:

1. Apply Nightfall over the lid.

2. Go in with the color crown on the center of the lid to add that pop for sparkle!

3. Apply denim in the corner and crease with a blending eye brush( that will be a fluffy brush).
.
4. Then apply bone in above the tear duct area and below the eye brow.

5. Apply your eye liner to your desired look.
false lashes if you would like ✨Boom! You got yourself a fabulous smokey eye!
Seriously you guys, balloons are the EASIEST (and lets be honest, most fun!) way to add whimsy to a party!! I’m slightly obsessed with decorating for preschool parties and had so much fun helping with Elsabet’s this morning!

WHAT YOU NEED:
.
✔️ Balloons (obvi)
.
✔️ Hand-held balloon pump (you can get online or at Hobby Lobby, Walmart, Party City, etc)
.
✔️ Glue Dots

DIRECTIONS/TIPS:

For doing a table like this, I’d just blow them up halfway, not too big. Use the Glue Dots to stick them together in a haphazard way, making sure the tails are tucked under so they don’t show (much). Don’t overthink it! Just build it up and have fun with it!!
🎈💕🎈💕🎈💕🎈💕
To my favorite weirdo who has helped me raise more weirdos...I love you! @ben_c_anderson
What if I were to tell you I’m starting a podcast for @theandsociety?! What working-moms would you like to hear from...and what would you like to know?!
🌸🌿
PS the website officially launches SOON!!

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The party is over on instagram

Have you purchased faux plants that come in a pretty pot? I went through a bunch of mine that just look old and soooo not real (🤷🏼‍♀️😂) and ripped them out so I could keep the fun vessel and toss the fake plant portion.

I’ve loooooved having these flowers in what used to hold faux ferns from @target’s #threshhold collection a few years back. (In case you’re wondering, the stems are pressed into floral foam)

I’m wondering how many more days they can be enjoyed before having to give in and toss ‘em...this part of fresh flowers SO bums me out!

Fresh flowers are the BEST!! But now I’m remembering why faux are my friends, too.
😂
Give me a little 🙋🏼‍♀️ if you have a hard time throwing away your flowers...even WAY after they need to be!
One of these things is not like the other 😂😂
.
Imani won the big prize at school and Elsabet is wondering why hers suddenly looks so small
🤷🏼‍♀️😂😂😂
I’m horrible at creating a Smokey-Eye (you too?!) but tried my hand at it today after @katprostudio and I did a tutorial on it (because Elsabet told me I needed to “dress fancy” today for her Valentines Party 🥰😉).
💕
Head to my IGTV station to watch it and to my Stories if you’d like to Swipe Up and get the gorgeous @beautycounter palette we used!!)
💕
Happy Valentines Day, friends!
🌸❤️💕🎈
.
TIPS:

1. Apply Nightfall over the lid.

2. Go in with the color crown on the center of the lid to add that pop for sparkle!

3. Apply denim in the corner and crease with a blending eye brush( that will be a fluffy brush).
.
4. Then apply bone in above the tear duct area and below the eye brow.

5. Apply your eye liner to your desired look.
false lashes if you would like ✨Boom! You got yourself a fabulous smokey eye!
Seriously you guys, balloons are the EASIEST (and lets be honest, most fun!) way to add whimsy to a party!! I’m slightly obsessed with decorating for preschool parties and had so much fun helping with Elsabet’s this morning!

WHAT YOU NEED:
.
✔️ Balloons (obvi)
.
✔️ Hand-held balloon pump (you can get online or at Hobby Lobby, Walmart, Party City, etc)
.
✔️ Glue Dots

DIRECTIONS/TIPS:

For doing a table like this, I’d just blow them up halfway, not too big. Use the Glue Dots to stick them together in a haphazard way, making sure the tails are tucked under so they don’t show (much). Don’t overthink it! Just build it up and have fun with it!!
🎈💕🎈💕🎈💕🎈💕
To my favorite weirdo who has helped me raise more weirdos...I love you! @ben_c_anderson
What if I were to tell you I’m starting a podcast for @theandsociety?! What working-moms would you like to hear from...and what would you like to know?!
🌸🌿
PS the website officially launches SOON!!

Let's stay connected

I'm just so thankful you're here. May this be a place where you can sit back and feel nourished...take a few moments for yourself so you may be filled up. No one can pour from an empty bucket.


ForMERly known as HUGS + PUNCHES

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